Censorship and Libel at USC

Editor’s note: In September 2009, David Horowitz was invited by the University of Southern California College Republicans to come on campus and protest an Islamic Hadith calling for the genocide of the Jews that appeared on an official USC website. His speech was attacked in advance by Students for Justice in Palestine and the USC Progressive Alliance, who made up quotes and attributed them to Horowitz in order to paint him as an Islamophobe and a racist. Undeterred by this slander, Horowitz spoke on the USC campus on November 4 to a packed house.

On December 3, the USC Vice President of Student Affairs, Michael Jackson, published “an open letter to the USC community” in the Daily Trojan, the USC campus newspaper, attacking the College Republicans for bringing Horowitz to campus. Jackson claimed that Horowitz’s presence “led members of our community, our Muslim students, to feel threatened, unsafe, and betrayed.” This letter was also sent to every official USC student, faculty, and staff email address and was published as an ad in the Daily Trojan.

Horowitz wrote a response to Jackson’s letter and submitted it as an ad to the Daily Trojan, which Jackson controls and which initially rejected it. The David Horowitz Freedom Center responded by notifying USC officials of its intent to pursue relief under California’s Unruh Act, which requires student papers to observe rules of basic fairness. After reflection, the Trojan agreed to print Horowitz’s response and it ran in Tuesday’s edition of the paper. It appears below. Tomorrow, FrontPage will run the speech Horowitz gave at USC, which aroused the ire of the campus left.

An Open Letter to the USC Community: Response to VP Student Affairs Michael L. Jackson:

Vice President Jackson’s “Open Letter to the USC Community” denigrating student leaders of College Republicans for inviting me to speak is ill-informed and provides unfortunate support for campus hate speech, specifically for the attacks on Jewish students that have become increasingly prevalent on college campuses these days. I was invited to USC to speak about this problem and specifically about an incitement to kill Jews posted on an official USC website and attributed to the prophet Mohammed. The incitement was originally posted by the USC Muslim Student Union. It was removed last spring by Provost Nicias, who called it “disgusting,” over protests from the Muslim Student Union. It was recently restored to a USC website by another campus group. When this re-posting came to my attention, I contacted USC students and said I would like to come to campus to address this and related issues. This led to my invitation from College Republicans.

My speech and my hosts were attacked, however, before I even appeared at USC. We were subjected to a series of vicious slanders which should have no place on a university campus. A flyer put out by the USC Progressive Alliance maliciously and falsely claimed that College Republicans hate Muslims and then invented an entire quote attributed to me claiming that Muslim believers are “soulless beasts.” I have never said or written anything that could be construed this way, nor do I believe it. In the millions of words I have published I have never used the phrase “soulless beast” to describe anyone, let alone pious Muslims.

Nor was this the only attack on us. The president of Students for Justice in Palestine sent out a campus email making a series of false claims about what I have written in the past, including the malicious lie that I said that African Americans should be grateful for slavery. A version of this slander endorsed by half a dozen recognized USC student groups and five USC professors was published in the Daily Trojan, which is under Michael Jackson’s jurisdiction and which refused to print my rebuttal.

In his “Open Letter” Vice President Jackson not only ignores these assaults on campus tolerance but singles out the victims of these attacks for disapprobation. He justifies this moral blindness by claiming that I described the USC Muslim Student Union as “a terrorist organization with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.” I never made such a statement – not before my speech nor during the course of it.

What I did point out in my speech was the USC Muslim Student Union’s decision to post the alleged saying of the prophet Mohammed that in order for the Day of Judgment to come, Muslims must “fight the Jews and kill them,” and its defense of the posting after Provost Nicias ordered its removal.

It is true that on other occasions I have said that the national Muslim Students Association is part of the Muslim Brotherhood network with ties to Hamas. I have also said that the national Muslim Students Association sponsors anti-gay, anti-woman and anti-Semitic speakers on many campuses, and is behind an event on every anniversary of the creation of the state Israel that calls for its destruction – a genocidal incitement. These claims are documented here in this Investigative Project report on the Muslim Student Association. In any case, they should be a legitimate part of any dialogue on a university campus concerned with the current conflict between radical elements in Islam and the democracies of the West. The fact that a vice president in charge of student affairs should want to de-legitimize and thereby suppress these opinions in the name of “tolerance” is positively Orwellian and does not speak well for the intellectual climate at this great university.

David Horowitz was one of the founders of the New Left in the 1960s and an editor of its largest magazine, Ramparts. He is the author, with Peter Collier, of three best selling dynastic biographies: The Rockefellers: An American Dynasty (1976); The Kennedys: An American Dream (1984); and The Fords: An American Epic (1987). Looking back in anger at their days in the New Left, he and Collier wrote Destructive Generation (1989), a chronicle of their second thoughts about the 60s that has been compared to Whittaker Chambers’ Witness and other classic works documenting a break from totalitarianism. Horowitz examined this subject more closely in Radical Son (1996), a memoir tracing his odyssey from “red-diaper baby” to conservative activist that George Gilder described as “the first great autobiography of his generation.” He is author of the newly published book The Great Betrayal (Regnery 2014), which is a chronicle of the Democrats treachery in the war on terror before 9/11 to the death of Osama bin Laden.

jackie b

Send all students for "justice" in "palestine" to live under Islamist rule for a while!

BOB

This is worse than "incitement to riot"! The students who are promoting this SERIOUS "KILL" message should be arrested as "an accessory BEFORE the fact"if there is ANY attack on ANY Jewish!!

http://intensedebate.com/people/cjk cjk

Worse yet is that if and when an attack actually occurs, the lefties will quickly assert that it had nothing to do with any previous perceived incitements by 'saintly' mohammedan groups.

stepman

Nothing new here. As always the "agenda" is well represented and those that listen to this spewing are not awakened nor will they be allowed to be awakened to the islamic threat that is confronting Our Freedom. The Republic for which it stands can not tolerate Shariah law and will not be subjugated to it. You are Muslim, fine, but don't try to over step your space by invading my space. We live freely here in America and do not subscribe to religious dominance of our lives. Those that choose to follow Mohammed should do so in the privacy of their space. We non-muslims do not invade their space with religious spewing about our faith. Our American freedom is constantly under attack by the money masters that still haven't gotten past the fact that we defeated them in 1776 and are using any and all, including religion and race, to splinter Our Great Nation. Stand tall Americans. Those newly arrived seeking to become American, BECOME AMERICAN.

Abraham Stubenhaus

America is what FREEDOM is all about. Many of us remember the outrageous "protest" in England when the local Muslims were carrying hate signs. One of those signs announced, "Freedom go to hell."
This university is even more filled with hate when it not only tells America that freedom is from the devil (by refusing to allow reactions to their hate), but by proudly announcing and publicizing their opposition to freedom of expression. Perhaps the University of Southern California should be reminded that Islam is only one of the many religions we practice here in the United States. Islam is not the only one.
Sometimes, when you bend over backwards so far to show how open you are, you break your back.
Got that USC?

Stephen D.

What gets me is that the Totalitarianism of the Islamic system is defended by those that call themselves “tolerant and Liberal” when in fact, it is evreything but. I guess they must be tolerant until you disagree with them then they sound very similar to the same mindset of dictators of old.

http://intensedebate.com/people/JSBurke JSBurke

You have to understand all the different philosophies that were borrowed from by the Scientific Socialists before you can understand how they can, despite their claims to being "tolerant and liberal," actually promote totalitarianism. When a "classical liberal" (modern conservative) talks about freedom they mean that individuals are free from government interference in enjoying "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." For modern liberals (scientific socialists) freedom means that people are free to follow natural laws and sociological laws, with those laws being determined by an elite intellectual class, who will then transmit them to the political class who turn them into civil laws that have to be followed. Pardon the run-on sentence.

http://collegefreedom.org John K. Wilson

Exactly how does the Unruh Act require student newspapers to publish letters? Does Horowitz really believe that newspapers should be forced by the government to publish things they don't want to print?

http://intensedebate.com/people/cjk cjk

You need to take a reading comprehension course. Jackson submitted a false ad in a newspaper he controlled and then rejected a response.

ontheright

lol – spot on!

Selective comprehension to promote a radically liberal ideology appears to be gaining more and more ground in the leftisphere…of course it's not hard to understand, given the liberal/socialist death-grip of the government run school system(s).

brenanc

Perhaps Mr. John K. Wilson is a USC graduate. Such a pity Mr. Wilson's father wasn't wearing a Trojan so as to have interrupted his conception.

http://collegefreedom.org John K. Wilson

First of all, there's not the slightest evidence that Jackson controls the student newspaper or influenced any decision about printing a letter. I invite Horowitz to offer some evidence. And in a free society, the government doesn't tell newspapers what they can or can't print. Perhaps you need to take a reading comprehension course about the First Amendment.

http://intensedebate.com/people/JosephWiess JosephWiess

It would be useful to point out that there has been justic for Palestine. Israel has given up land and security three times in the last 30 years, and each time, the Palestinians have continued to fire rockets into Israel and attack innocent people.

The latest insanity is the fact that the Palestinians want 1000 war criminals released from Israel for the safe return of one (1) solitary soldier. If I were Israel, I'd say no, and let that family know that their son died bravely for their country, or I'd simply invade palestinian ground space and get him back.

ontheright

One has to understand, all the concessions, agreements, compromises, deals, give-backs, trade-offs, and/or indulgences, no matter how noble, fair and equitable (on Israel's part) are what Palestinians (and all other Jew-haters for that matter) are after…nothing short of total and utter Jewish annihilation will satisfy the Islamo-fascists…enough said – we all need to wake up to this FACT before it's too late. Islam is a flawed religion that is based only in hate. If you don't believe it, do yourself a favor and read the Koran/Kuran.

ontheright

typo – "…are what Palestinians…" – should read "…are NOT what Palestinians…"

http://intensedebate.com/people/Rifleman Rifleman

Israel should execute the thousand and ask them if they want to go for 2.

jackbelias

If a party propaganda agency calling itself a "newspaper" publishes claims about any individual they are beholden to allow that individual a response.
If these Stalinists truly believe in human freedom why do they rally against free speech?
Im no republican, in fact Im an atheist, pro abortion rights supporter. I would be harrassed and attacked by leftists and muslims alike on that campus for being "racist" enough to fail to believe in an invisible man. Stalinists on the left have taken our constitution too far, they use it only to deny constitutional rights to others. This is not the intent of the US constitution and it is my firm belief that we should treat leftists and the muslim students assoc just as the German BUND was treated during the second world war.
No federal or state institution has the right to force anyone to respect any religion. The first article of the bill of rights comes to mind. If things like this continue to get ugly and violent with an educational institution supporting the every act of revolutionary terrorists the victims of their blood soaked iron fists will eventually practice their second article rights.

USMCSniper

The left's patron saint, Herbert Marcuse, a Marxist theorist, wrote a famous article in the 1960s that advocated a “repressive tolerance” that would repress the Right and tolerate only the Left. Why college administrators and professors of all people would think that they had the right to engage in this kind of totalitarian thought control is beyond comprehension. These codes invariably are used almost always by the left to justify “malicious aggression” against those who do not conform to the narrow ideology of the campus Left. Labeling dissenters as “haters” or “harassers” is a cowardly and immoral way of avoiding real, substantive debate.”

Basically, no matter what the left says or does is tolerated, and anything the right says or does is discredited, ridiculed, attacked, shouted down, supressed, etc,…

Minnie M

It is obvious that our colleges and universities have sold their souls for the Wahabi Dollars. End of discussion. Instead of trying to change this unchangable system, we should be publicizing the facts so parents can be warned before allowing their children to attend these radicalized Muslim indoctrination institutions where they are brainwashed to hate America and love and support the most dispicable religio-political system ever dreamed up by any madman. If these radical institutions are deprived of funding from disgusted alumni and government aid and grants they will have to change their anti-West, pro-Islam policies. When student enrollment drops these institutions will be forced to change their ways or close up shop. Just remember this. BLUE BEARD WAS A MUSLIM! I rest my case.

Eddie

What I have to say to supporters of islamofascism is…

From the River to the Sea,

Pal-e-SWINE will NEVER BE!

INSHALLAH!

http://intensedebate.com/people/ZionSion Beth

in the name of “tolerance”…..let the non-muslims start preaching….

005.041 O Messenger!let not those grieve thee, who race each other into unbelief: whether it be among those whosay "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the MUSLIMS,- men who will listen to any lie

009.005 But when the forbidden months are past then fight and slay the MUSLIMS wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war.

005.051 O ye who believe! take not the Muslims for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them for friendship is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

033.061 They [the MUSLIMS] shall have a curse on them: whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy.

047.004 Therefore, when ye meet '''the MUSLIMS''' in fight, smite at their necks.

Turn-about is fair play – and if not – why not?

http://intensedebate.com/people/ZionSion Beth

They have accused David Horowitz of what they, themselves, are guilty of.

bmw61

My Mother said: "It takes one to know one." They are intolerant and hateful…simply put!

shane comeback

The Western left is married to radical Islam. The best weapons we have are the people willing to speak out about both. Did any of these students ask themselves, "Wait a second…no speaker at our campus should have to have bodyguards…."

http://intensedebate.com/people/suprkufrB suprkufrB

I bailed out of academia in the mid-sixties, and have since seen two generations of students being brainwashed to an exponentially greater degree than I could have ever imagined in those days. When I enrolled as a freshman in 1957, I could readily identify communists, fascists, monarchists, republicans, catholics, jews, protestants, atheists, secular humanists, liberals, conservatives…all of whom enjoyed the inalienable and scrupulously defended right to argue their beliefs without fear of intimidation. Ten years later, reasoned debate and the free exchange of ideas had virtually disappeared; everywhere except in the faculties of the natural and applied sciences slogans had replaced argument, and the academic gown had been doffed for the black shirt.
I believe that our western universities have by now been irretrievably compromised, and that it is time we started to establish our own institutions of higher learning, where academic freedom might once again take root. A monumental task, to be sure, but I see no alternative.

bmw61

One such University is called Hillsdale in Michigan… look it up and perhaps more of them will spring up in this great country.

Eddie

It's ironic that leftist, SORRY! "progressive" morons, who despise Christians and Jews and any expression of faith, are SO ACCOMODATING, SO DEFERENTIAL towards islamofascist belief systems.

It is a puzzlement.

Michael McCanles

VP for Student Affairs Jackson of USC is typical of the kind of sleaze that governs universities in America today. They are cowards and avoid any form of possible disorder on a campus because these are not people who have any commitment to education or the life of the mind. They are careerist "administrators": administrate is what they do when they do what they do, and they have to worry about negative comments creeping into their resumes. They do not have the educational and intellectual integrity of the places they administer at heart, because that is not where their heart is. Their heart lies in their dedication to their careers, and letting people Horowitz come on campus and become the standard target for leftist orgs who sit around waiting for occasions to scream and yell do nothing but make people like Jackson cringe in their drawers. They don't care about academic freedom, because caring about academic freedom requires caring about freedom of research and teaching, and they do not care about any of these things. What they want is the career and the money it brings in. They are, in short, mercenaries, and should be treated like mercinaries.

http://intensedebate.com/people/ZionSion Beth

Linda Rivera said……."It is absolutely despicable that our universities are silent about present day slavery. Why are there no protests by the universities against this terrible evil?"

Could not agree more with you Linda (and thank you for your posts…they are very educational….there's wisdom)

Why? ….is the question. I suspect there have not been enough bloody attacks [in America] – Which is a complete disgrace!)

Because we "reap what we sow"…David Horowitz's work is SOOOOOOOOO important. It occurred to me that I had asked for support – as a Christian (on another article – can't remember which one) I was not asking for that support from any of FrontPageMagazine's authors (even if they are not Christians) but rather – from every viewer who takes the time to read the comments on the articles here.

I, for one, believe the articles of FrontPage Magazine should be REQUIRED reading for every high school student – at least, in America.

And you Linda, are a great asset for the info they (the next generation) need. Keep up the good work.

http://intensedebate.com/people/ZionSion Beth

The Koran preaches (and this may be why the powers of the colleges are content with Islam)….
024:033 Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves {slaves?] ask for a deed in writing to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum {if you're poor – you're out of luck}, give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire {if you're poor – you're out of luck} chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is Allah, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful to them

Such a teaching is VERY sick! and is a clear Violation of all (so-called) International law. SHAME on ANY who step forth to defend such CRAP! (you will know what is in the heart by what comes from the mouth)

http://intensedebate.com/people/ZionSion Beth

Taught in the Koran…..
005.033 THE PUNISHMENT of those who '''wage war''' against Allah and His Messenger is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet.

{What part of that Islamic command – did you 'infidels' not understand?

We are in danger and we need to fight back! You need to think about this everyday minute of every day……..what can I do to stop this? WE ARE IN DANGER DAMN IT! Why are not the peaceful Muslims speaking up? I personally am not sure…maybe there are none….maybe they are scared….We cant wait for them because this is OUR COUNTRY and by our being steered slowly by a creeping Socialistic ideal instilled in alot of our Politicians we have become….dishrags. Let's fight!!!! Send letters and e-mails to these Colleges that are tolerating this. The left is segregating this country and giving these very radical movements a platform of steel. I am far from finished

jones123peter

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bmw61

Not only in today's world, but the majority of slaves sold into slavery and shipped to the America's were captured by Muslim slave traders… read your history everyone!